Portugal and Eurovision 2026: the country is split, and the numbers prove it

Portugal is officially undecided. Not backstage, not on X, not in Eurovision Twitter spaces at 2 a.m.
In the real world.

A new poll by Pitagórica for TVI / CNN Portugal, released today, shows that Portugal is almost perfectly divided on whether the country should take part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.

And no, this isn’t a landslide in either direction.

The numbers, without glitter

According to the survey, 46% of Portuguese respondents support RTP’s decision to participate in Eurovision 2026. That’s not overwhelming enthusiasm, but it is the largest single group.

On the other side, 38% are against participation. But here’s where it gets interesting: opposition isn’t uniform.

• 28% believe Portugal should boycott Eurovision altogether.
• 10% would keep the Festival da Canção, but skip Eurovision itself.

In other words, some people want the music without the circus.

Then there’s the floating middle: 9% say their opinion depends on what happens between now and May. Which, in Eurovision terms, is an eternity. Wars start, rules change, scandals explode.

The remaining 7% either didn’t know or refused to answer, which is honestly the most relatable response of all.

Who’s backing Eurovision?

Support for participation isn’t random. The poll points to a very specific profile:

• Mostly men
• Aged 35–44
• From lower social classes (C2/D)
• Concentrated in the North of Portugal
• And, notably, among voters of Chega

That last point alone explains why this debate is already messy and why Eurovision, once again, has wandered far beyond music.

More than a song contest (again)

What this poll really shows is that Eurovision in Portugal is no longer just entertainment. It’s a proxy debate about ethics, visibility, identity and where the country wants to be seen internationally.

Supporting participation doesn’t necessarily mean loving Eurovision.
Opposing it doesn’t automatically mean hating music.

For many, it’s about what Eurovision represents right now.

A decision that won’t age quietly

With nearly half the country in favour, over a third against, and a significant chunk waiting to see how the world evolves, RTP’s decision to participate in Eurovision 2026 will not quietly fade into the background.

Whatever Portugal does next, someone will be unhappy.
Which, frankly, makes it a very Eurovision start to 2026.

And this time, the drama isn’t even coming from the scoreboard.

Source: ESC Portugal